Peptides, the production and use thereof for binding immunoglobulins

ABSTRACT

Peptides having the following amino acid sequence as well as peptides or proteins which contain this amino acid sequence:
 
R 1 -X01-X02-X03-X04-X05-X06-X07-X08-X09-X10-X11-X12-X13-R 2 .
 
These peptides have a high affinity for immunoglobulins. Applications of the peptides according to the invention are also described.

This is a 371 of PCT/EP01/12933, filed Nov. 8, 2001, and published in German.

The present invention relates to peptides having affinity for immunoglobulins, solid phases to which the peptides according to the invention are bound, a method for the adsorption of immunoglobulins, a device for performing the method, and uses of the peptides according to the invention.

Immunoglobulins are protein molecules which occur in all vertebrates and which serve for the body's specific immune defense by binding to antigens, microbial and other exogenous structures and neutralize them. Antigen-bearing structures, such as bacteria or parasites which have intruded into the body as well as virus-infected body cells, are tagged by bound immunoglobulins for destruction by correspondingly specialized cells or molecular systems, such as the complement to system. Depending on the structure of their molecular subunits, immunoglobulins are subdivided into different immunoglobulin classes, which are also distinct with respect to their biological activities, such as the capability of complement activation or mucosa permeability. In general, all immunoglobulins are distinct by their variable binding sites specific for the respective antigen, irrespective of the class of immunoglobulins. All immunoglobulins have common structural features through which they may also be bound commonly, for which the molecular subunit called the “Fc region” is preferred (Davies and Metzger (1983); Alt et al. (1987)).

Immunoglobulin-binding molecules which occur in nature are mainly surface receptors of body cells which recognize the FC region of the different immunoglobulins and bind to them. After the receptors have bound immunoglobulins, different activation processes are triggered through them, depending on the class of the bound immunoglobulin and the cell type (McKenzie and Schreiber (1994); Makiya and Stigbrand (1992); Sarfati et al. (1992); Capron et al. (1992); Shen (1992); Sandor et al. (1992)).

In addition to surface receptors, molecules of the complement system also bind to the Fc region of immunoglobulins. The complement system is a system of mutually matched proteins which serves for the destruction of the antigen-bearing target structure and has two different paths of activation. In one of them, the classical path, activation is effected through the binding of the complement component C1 or its subunit C1q to the Fc region of the antigen-bound immunoglobulins (Miletic and Frank (1995)).

Some bacteria also have developed proteins which are capable of binding immunoglobulins through the Fc region. These include protein A of the staphylococci and protein G of the streptococci. These proteins and their derivatives are interesting tools in immunological research, for example, in the study of receptor-immunoglobulin interaction, and when coupled to a support matrix, they are widely used in the purification of immunoglobulins by affinity chromatography (Stahl et al. (1993)).

Proceeding from this application, therapeutic immunapheresis was established for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this process, immunoglobulins are removed from human plasma by means of matrix-coupled protein A, and thus the concentration of pathogenic auto-antibodies is decreased (Belak et al. (1994)).

Currently, there are two commercially available protein A products which are distinct with respect to the adsorber matrix employed. On the one hand, protein A immobilized on agarose (sepharose) is used as the support matrix (Immunosorba, Fresenius HemoCare AG, Germany) (Samuelsson (1998)); on the other hand, silica gel is employed as the support matrix (Prosorba, Cypress Bioscience Inc., USA). The use of immunapheresis with protein A for removing the immunoglobulins was successfully employed in different autoimmune diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis (Felson et al. (1999)).

Further, after immunization with immunoglobulins of a particular species, antibodies can be induced in another species which are then capable of binding the immunoglobulins of the first species. Based on this principle is a product for therapeutic immunapheresis which uses matrix-coupled antibodies from sheep which are obtained from the serum of the animals upon immunization with human immunoglobulins. This system (Ig-Therasorb, PlasmaSelect AG, Germany) is also employed in the total immunoglobulin removal and thus also serves for the therapeutic removal of pathogenic antibodies (Koll (1998)), for example, of inhibitors of factor VIII and factor IX (Knobl and Derfler (1999)).

Matrix-immobilized amino acids are also employed for therapeutic immun-apheresis. For this purpose, adsorbers based on phenylalanine (IM-PH350, Asahi Medical Co. Ltd., Japan) and tryptophan (IM-TR350, Asahi, Japan) are employed (Jimenez et al. (1993); Fadul et al. (1996)). However, the binding capability of these adsorbers is not limited to immunoglobulins, in contrast to the adsorber systems mentioned above, but other proteins, such as fibrinogen, which is necessary for clotting, are also removed from the blood plasma.

A completely different binding principle is employed in the use of peptides as antigens or antigen mimetics for removing pathogenic auto-antibodies. For example, the adsorber MG-50 (Kuraray Co. Ltd., Japan) is employed for the elimination of auto-antibodies against acetylcholine receptor in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (Takamori and Ide (1996)). Another example is the specific immunapheretic elimination of auto-antibodies against β1-adrenergic receptor (EP 99 118 631, Affina Immuntechnik GmbH, Germany) in the therapy of dilatative cardiomyopathy (DCM). That is to say, in the examples mentioned, only those immunoglobulins are removed which are directed against the respective peptide antigen, whereas all other immunoglobulins are not bound. The use of peptides for the binding of selected immunoglobulins through their antigen-binding site is state of the art.

Interestingly and in contrast to the peptides described above, the literature has also described peptides which are not bound through the antigen-binding site of an immunoglobulin, but to the Fc region of immunoglobulins. Thus, a protein-A-mimetic peptide has been described which is suitable for the technical purification of immunoglobulins (Fassina et al. (1996); Fassina et al. (1998)). Further, a peptide has been described which binds a monoclonal IgG antibody in the region of the protein A binding site of the immunoglobulin in a buffered solution (DeLano et al. (2000) as well as WO-A-01/45746). Other peptides which also bind in the Fc region and consists of 10 amino acids were described by the Krook group of workers (Krook et al. (1998)).

For the therapeutic suitability as a pharmaceutical agent and/or for the therapeutic use in medical engineering of molecules for the binding of immunoglobulins of classes G₁₋₄, A and M, the specificity for the mentioned classes of immunoglobulins, a low binding of other plasma components and the stability of the peptide in body fluids, such as human plasma or serum, are elementary preconditions.

Thus, it is the object of the invention to provide novel peptides which have a high affinity for immunoglobulins.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by synthetic peptides which preferably bind selectively to immunoglobulins, especially of classes G₁₋₄, A and M in complex solutions, such as body fluids and native human blood plasma, and are stable under such conditions of use.

The peptides claimed in this patent surprisingly meet the requirements mentioned both in a soluble form and in an immobilized state and are thus suitable for medical-technical and pharmacological use.

Especially upon immobilization of the peptides through X08=K (Lys) (see below), the peptides meet the mentioned requirements, surprisingly also after thermal treatment (autoclavation at 121° C.).

In detail, these are the peptides according to the invention having the following amino acid sequence as well as peptides or proteins containing this amino acid sequence: R¹—X01-X02-X03-X04-X05-X06-X07-X08-X09-X10-X11-X12-X13-R², wherein R¹, R² as well as X01 to X013 have the following meanings:

-   R¹=amino, acetyl as well as spacer/linker, or deletion -   X01=A, D, E, G, deletion -   X02=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid     (Dpr), K, ornithine (Orn), -   X03=A, S, T -   X04=E, F H, K, M, R, S, T, V, W, Y -   X05=H -   X06=G, H, K, L, M, N, Q, R -   X07=D, G -   X08=D, H, K, M, N, Q, R -   X09=K, L, R -   X10=V -   X11=W -   X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid     (Dpr), K, ornithine (Orn), -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, T, deletion -   R²=—COOH, -amide, -GK, -GKK, -(βA)GK, -(βA)GKK, -(βA)(βA),     -(βA)(βA)K as well as spacer/linker, or deletion.

The peptides according to the invention may be, in particular, in a linear as well as cyclic form, wherein the peptide ring closure is effected through disulfide bridging when two cysteines are present, or through amide cyclization which is optionally effected through side chains, through the C and N termini or through a combination of these two possibilities.

According to the invention, the following peptides are preferred: R1-ACAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 R1-ECAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 R1-GCAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 R1-CAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the peptide positions as follows:

-   -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion     -   or         R1-DSAWHLGKLVWCT-R2     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion     -   or

According to the invention, the following peptides are preferred: R1-ACAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 1) R1-ECAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 2) R1-GCAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) R1-CAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 4)

-   -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion     -   or         R1-DSAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 5)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion     -   or         R1-DCSWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 6)         R1-DCTWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 7)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion,     -   or         R1-DCAEHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 8)         R1-DCAFHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 9)         R1-DCAHHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 10)         R1-DCAKHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 11)         R1-DCAMHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 12)         R1-DCARHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 13)         R1-DCASHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 14)         R1-DCATHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 15)         R1-DCAVHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 16)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 17)         R1-DCAYHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 18)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion,     -   or         R1-DCAWHDGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 19)         R1-DCAWHEGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 20)         R1-DCAWHGGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 21)         R1-DCAWHHGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 22)         R1-DCAWHKGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 23)         R1-DCAWHMGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 24)         R1-DCAWHNGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 25)         R1-DCAWHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 26)         R1-DCAWHRGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 27)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion,     -   or         R1-DCAWHLDKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 28)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion     -   or         R1-DCAWHLGDLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 29)         R1-DCAWHLGHLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 30)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 31)         R1-DCAWHLGMLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 32)         R1-DCAWHLGNLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 33)         R1-DCAWHLGQLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 34)         R1-DCAWHLGRLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 35)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion,     -   or         R1-DCAWHLGKKVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 36)         R1-DCAWHLGKRVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 37)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X12=S     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion,     -   or         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWST-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 38)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, deletion     -   or         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCD-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 39)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCE-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 40)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCK-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 41)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCQ-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 42)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCR-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 43)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCS-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 44)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 45)     -   with a maximum of four simultaneous amino acid exchanges in the         peptide positions as follows:     -   X01=A, E, G, deletion     -   X02=S     -   X03=S, T     -   X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, Y     -   X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, R     -   X07=D     -   X08=D, H, M, N, Q, R     -   X09=K, R     -   X12=S     -   wherein     -   R1=amino, acetyl as well as spacer/linker,     -   R2=—COOH, -amide, -GK, -GKK, -(βA)GK, -(βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89),         -(βA)(βA), -(βA)(βA)K         as well as spacer/linker, the cysteines in positions X02 and X12         are optionally used for a ring closure through disulfide         bridging, or the cysteines in positions X02 and X12 are replaced         by Dpr or Dab or K or Orn for X02 in combination with D or E for         X12 and employed for amide cyclization through the side chains;     -   or the cysteines in positions X02 and X12 are replaced by D or E         for X02 in combination with Dpr or Dab or K or Orn for X12 and         employed for amide cyclization through the side chains;     -   or, when R2=COOH, the position X02 is Dpr or Dab or K or Orn and         its side chain forms a ring closure with the C-terminal amino         acid through amide cyclization;     -   or, when R1=NH2, the position X12 is E or D and its side chain         forms a ring closure with the N-terminal amino acid through         amide cyclization;     -   or, when R1=NH2 and R2=COOH, the N-terminal and C-terminal amino         acids of the peptide are used for ring closure through amide         formation;     -   and any lysines which are not used for ring closure may be         derivatized by spacers/linkers. Further, according to the         invention, peptides are preferred which have the following         peptide sequences and which may be linear or optionally cyclized         through the N and C termini of the peptide through amide         formation:         R1-CAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 46)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 47)         R1-CAWHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 48)         R1-DCSWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 49)         R1-DCAWHHGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 50)         R1-DCAWHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 51)         R1-DCAWHGGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 52)         R1-DCAWRGGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 53)         R1-DCAWHGGHLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 54)         R1-DCAWHGGKLVWCE-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 55)     -   wherein R1=amino, acetyl and     -   R2=—COOH, -amide, -GK, -GKK, -(βA)GK, -(βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89),         -(βA)(βA),         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 56)         R1-DCAWHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 57)         R1-DCAYHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 58)         R1-DCSWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 59)         R1-DCAYHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 60)         R1-DCSWHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 61)         R1-DCSYHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 62)         R1-DCSYHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 63)         R1-CAWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 64)         R1-CAWHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 65)         R1-CAYHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 66)         R1-CSWHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 67)         R1-CAYHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 68)         R1-CSWHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 69)         R1-CSYHLGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 70)         R1-CSYHQGKLVWCT-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 71)         R1-DCAWHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 72)         R1-DCAWHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 73)         R1-DCAYHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 74)         R1-DCSWHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 75)         R1-DCAYHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 76)         R1-DCSWHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 77)         R1-DCSYHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 78)         R1-DCSYHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 79)         R1-CAWHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 80)         R1-CAWHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 81)         R1-CAYHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 82)         R1-CSWHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 83)         R1-CAYHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 84)         R1-CSWHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 85)         R1-CSYHLGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 86)         R1-CSYHQGKLVWC-R2 (SEQ ID NO: 87)     -   wherein     -   R1=acetyl- and     -   R2=—COOH, -amide,     -   the cysteines in positions X02 and X12 are optionally used for         ring closure through disulfide bridging;     -   or the cysteines in positions X02 and X12 are replaced by Dpr or         Dab or K or Orn for X02 in combination with D or E for X12 and         employed for amide cyclization through the side chains;     -   or the cysteines in positions X02 and X12 are replaced by D or E         for X02 in combination with Dpr or Dab or K or Orn for X12 and         employed for amide cyclization through the side chains.

The mentioned peptides according to the invention bind immunoglobulins or antigen-immunoglobulin complexes in biological fluids.

Also claimed according to the invention are solid phases for affinity chromatography or solid-phase extraction consisting of organic, inorganic, synthetic polymers or of mixed polymers, preferably cross-linked agarose, cellulose, silica gel, polyamide and polyvinyl alcohols, which are optionally chemically activated, with peptides according to the invention immobilized on the surface of the solid phase.

In the solid phases according to the invention, the peptides are bound to the solid support phase preferably covalently or by adsorption. In another preferred embodiment of the solid phases according to the invention, the peptides are distanced from the support surface by linkers/spacers.

For coupling the peptides according to the invention to solid phases, they are preferably provided with a linker/spacer. Preferably, the linker/spacer is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   Carboxylic acids and their derivatives, hydroxycarboxylic acids         and their derivatives, oligoalkoxy derivatives and their         oligomers, α-aminocarboxylic acids and their homo- and         heterooligomers, α,ω-aminocarboxylic acids and their branched         homo- and heterooligomers, other amino acids and their linear         and branched homo- and heterooligomers,         amino-oligoalkoxy-alkylamines and their linear and branched         homo- and heterooligomers, maleinimidocarboxylic acid and its         derivatives, oligomers of alkylamines, 4-alkylphenyl         derivatives, 4-oligoalkoxyphenyl and 4-oligoalkoxyphenoxy         derivatives, oligoalkylmercaptophenyl and         4-oligoalkylmercaptophenoxy derivatives, 4-oligoalkylaminophenyl         and 4-oligoalkylaminophenoxy derivatives,         (oligoalkylbenzyl)phenyl and 4-(oligoalkylbenzyl)phenoxy         derivatives, and 4-(oligoalkoxybenzyl)phenyl and         4-(oligoalkoxybenzyl)phenoxy derivatives, trityl derivatives,         benzyloxyaryl and benzyl-oxyalkyl derivatives,         xanthen-3-yloxyalkyl derivatives, ω-(4-alkylphenyl) and         ω-(4-alkylphenoxy)alkanoic acid derivatives,         oligoalkylphenoxyalkyl and oligoalkoxyphenoxyalkyl derivatives,         carbamate derivatives, amines, trialkylsilyl and         dialkylalkoxysilyl derivatives, alkyl and aryl derivatives,         thiols and their derivatives, thioethers and their derivatives,         thiocarboxylic acids and their derivatives, thiolcarboxylic         acids and their derivatives, sulfonic acids and their         derivatives as well as combinations of the mentioned linkers or         spacers.

The invention relates to a method for the adsorption of immunoglobulins to a solid phase, wherein the peptides according to the invention are bound to a solid phase usual in affinity chromatography or to mobile solid phases, and the immunoglobulin-containing samples to be adsorbed are contacted, in particular, with the solid phases according to the invention.

Preferably, a method for the adsorption of immunoglobulins is performed on a solid phase, wherein the peptides according to the invention are bound to a solid phase usual in affinity chromatography or to mobile solid phases, and the immunoglobulin-containing samples to be adsorbed are anticoagulant-treated human blood plasma or human whole blood and are contacted with the solid phases according to the invention.

The method according to the invention is suitable, in particular, for the adsorption of immunoglobulins from immunoglobulin-containing samples which contain auto-antibodies related to autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid diseases, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and other auto-antibody-mediated diseases.

The method according to the invention is advantageously performed with a device according to the invention for removing immunoglobulins from immunoglobulin-containing samples on solid phases, wherein the device contains a solid phase according to the invention, and means for the entry of immunoglobulin-containing samples are provided.

The invention also relates to the use of the peptides according to the invention, the solid phases according to the invention and the devices according to the invention for removing immunoglobulins from immunoglobulin-containing samples.

The invention is further illustrated by means of the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Peptide Immobilization on Cellulose Matrix and Test for Immunoglobulin Binding 1. Synthesis of 13-mer Peptide Variants on a Support

Peptides consisting of 13 amino acids were synthesized by solid phase synthesis (Houghten, 1985) on a cellulose matrix with (βA)(βA) as a spacer group.

Starting from

R1-X01-X02-X03-X04-X05-X06-X07-X08-X09-X10-X11-  - D - C - A - W - H - L - G - E - L - V - W - X12-X13-R2 C - T -

-   -   R1=amino     -   R2=(βA)(βA), where βA=β-alanine,     -   peptide variants immobilized on solid phases were synthesized as         described in Table 1.

2. Testing of the 13-mer Peptide Variants for Immunoglobulin Binding

The immobilized peptides were tested for their immunoglobulin binding capability by incubation with human IgG-Fc in a buffered solution and by incubation with human plasma.

Thus, the peptide variants immobilized on solid phases were washed with T-TBS buffer (136 mM NaCl, 1.6 mM KCl, 0.05% (v/v) Tween 20, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0) and subsequently treated with blocking buffers (5% (w/v) saccharose, 4% (w/v) bovine serum albumin in T-TBS). Incubation of the immobilized peptides with IgG-Fc (1 μg/ml) in blocking buffer and human serum (diluted 1:10,000 in blocking buffer) was effected for 3 h at room temperature. For checking the specificity of the binding, buffered serum albumin solution (blocking buffer) without addition was included as a control. Thereafter, the peptide variants immobilized on the solid phases were washed three more times with T-TBS buffer.

After incubation with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-human IgG antibody (1.2 μg/ml) in blocking buffer, detection of the immunoglobulin binding was effected by means of NBT (nitroblue tetrazolium chloride)/BCIP (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate toluidine salt) as a substrate (200 μl of parent solution (18.75 mg/ml NBT and 9.4 mg/ml BCIP in 67% (v/v) DMSO) in 10 ml developing buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM NaCl, 5 mM MgCl₂, pH 9.5)).

The results of the tests for immunoglobulin binding are represented in Table 1.

EXAMPLE 2 Peptides Immobilized on Agarose Beads with Glu (E) as Compared to Lys (K) in Peptide Position X08 (See Above) and Test of Immunoglobulin Binding from Human Plasma 1. Immobilization

For immobilization to a solid phase, the peptides were dissolved in coupling buffer (30% (v/v) acetonitrile, 0.5 M NaCl, 0.1 M NaHCO₃, pH 8.3) to a concentration of 1 mg/ml and mixed with washed and CNBr-preactivated sepharose 4B at a volume ratio of 10:1. After completion of the coupling reaction, the peptide. matrices were washed with coupling buffer, and the excess CNBr groups were inactivated by incubation of the matrix in Tris buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl, 500 mM NaCl, pH 8.0).

The peptide loadings of the matrices were determined by photometry (A_(280 nm)) by establishing the difference between the peptide mass employed before coupling and the non-immobilized peptide mass after coupling.

The results of the peptide loadings are represented in Table 2.

Immobilized peptides:

linear peptides (SEQ ID NO:90) acetyl-D-S-A-W-H-L-G-E-L-V-W-C-T-((βA)(βA)K) peptides cyclized through disulfide bridging

peptides cyclized through side-chain amide bonding

Dpr = diaminopropionic acid

Dpr=diaminopropionic

2. Immunoglobulin Binding from Human Plasma

The peptide matrices were tested by means of affinity chromatography for their binding capacity and binding specificity for immunoglobulins with human plasma as a sample. Thus, 6 volume fractions of human plasma as the sample was passed through 1 column volume fraction of peptide matrix at a linear flow rate of 80 cm/h.

Prior to sample application, the affinity-chromatographic column was equilibrated with PBS, pH 7.2. After sample application, the column was washed with PBS, pH 7.2, until the adsorption baseline was reached, followed by eluting the bound protein with 30 mM Na citrate buffer, pH 2.8.

The determination of the concentration of the eluted protein was effected by photometric measurement of the adsorption at 280 nm. The immunoglobulin concentration was calculated therefrom with ε_(280 nm)=1.35 cm²/mg for IgG.

The results of the capacity determinations are represented in Table 2.

The specificity of the immunoglobulin-peptide bonding was determined by means of SDS-PAGE. It was compared with the specificity for immunoglobulin of protein A and anti-IgG antibodies.

Thus, the eluates of the respective affinity chromatography run (as described above) were processed for SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.

The results of the specificity testing are represented in FIG. 1.

EXAMPLE 3 Glu (E) as Compared to Lys (K) in Peptide Position X08 (See Above): Peptide Immobilization on Agarose Beads and Test of Immunoglobulin Binding from Human Plasma before and after Thermal Treatment 1. Immobilization

For immobilization to a solid phase, the peptides were dissolved in coupling buffer (30% (v/v) acetonitrile, 0.5 M NaCl, 0.1 M NaHCO₃, pH 8.3) to a concentration of 1 mg/ml and mixed with washed and CNBr-preactivated sepharose 4B at a volume ratio of 10:1. After completion of the coupling reaction, the peptide matrices were washed with coupling buffer, and the excess CNBr groups were inactivated by incubation of the matrix in Tris buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl, 500 mM NaCl, pH 8.0).

The peptide loadings of the matrices were determined by photometry (A_(280 nm)) by establishing the difference between the peptide mass employed before coupling and the non-immobilized peptide mass after coupling.

Immobilized Peptides

All the mentioned peptides are cyclized through disulfide bridging.

Immobilization through the amino terminus.

Immobilization through the ε-amino group of lysine (K)

Immobilization through the ε-amino group of lysine (K)

2. Immunoglobulin Binding from Human Plasma before and after Autoclavation of the Peptide Matrices

Before and after autoclavation at 121° C. for 20 min, the peptide matrices were tested by means of affinity chromatography for their binding capacity and binding specificity for immunoglobulins with human plasma as a sample. Thus, 6 volume fractions of human plasma as the sample was passed through 1 column volume fraction of peptide matrix at a linear flow rate of 80 cm/h.

Prior to sample application, the affinity-chromatographic column was equilibrated with PBS, pH 7.2. After sample application, the column was washed with PBS, pH 7.2, until the adsorption baseline was reached, followed by eluting the bound protein with 30 mM Na citrate buffer, pH 2.8.

The determination of the concentration of the eluted protein was effected by photometric measurement of the adsorption at 280 nm. The immunoglobulin concentration was calculated therefrom with ε_(280 nm)=1.35 cm²/mg for IgG.

The results of the capacity determinations are represented in Table 3.

The specificity of the immunoglobulin-peptide bonding was determined by means of SDS-PAGE before and after autoclavation.

Thus, the eluates of the respective affinity chromatography run (as described above) were processed for SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions.

The results of the specificity testing are represented in FIG. 2.

TABLE 1 Testing of 248 peptide variants (13-mers) for immunoglobulin binding A C D E F G H I K L M N P Q R S T V W Y (A) Result for incubation with serum albumin: 01 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 02 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 03 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 05 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 06 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 07 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 09 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (B) Result for incubation with human plasma: 01 + 0 + + 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 02 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 03 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + + 0 0 0 04 0 0 0 + + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 0 0 + + + + + + 05 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 06 0 0 0 0 0 + + 0 + + + + 0 + + 0 0 0 0 0 07 0 0 + 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 08 0 0 + + 0 0 + 0 + 0 + + 0 + + 0 0 0 0 0 09 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + + 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 12 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 + + 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 + + + + 0 0 0 (C) Result for incubation with human IgG-Fc: 01 + 0 + + 0 + + 0 + + + + + + + + 0 0 0 0 02 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 03 + 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 + 0 + + 0 0 0 04 0 0 0 + + 0 + + + + + + 0 + + + + + + + 05 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 06 + 0 + + 0 + + 0 + + + + 0 + + + + 0 0 0 07 0 0 + 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 08 + 0 + + 0 0 + 0 + 0 + + 0 + + + 0 0 0 0 09 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + + + 0 + + + 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 12 0 + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 + 0 + + 0 0 + 0 + 0 + + 0 + + + + 0 0 0 (A) Incubation of the peptide variants immobilized to the solid phase with serum albumin as a negative control (B) Incubation of the peptide variants immobilized to the solid phase with human plasma as a sample (C) Incubation of the peptide variants immobilized to the solid phase with human IgG-Fc as a sample The detection of the binding of immunoglobulins to the peptide variants immobilized to the solid phase was effected by means of alkaline phosphatase-conjugated anti-human IgG antibody. First row: one-letter code for the exchanged amino acid First column: sequence position of the exchanged amino acid No binding of immunoglobulin for the defined peptide variant, detection negative: 0 Binding of immunoglobulin for the defined peptide variant, detection positive: +

TABLE 2 Binding capacity of the peptide matrices for immunoglobulins Peptide matrix Loading Volume capacity Rel. capacity A1 8.8 4.70 0.53 B1 8.2 1.18 0.14 B2 8.5 5.87 0.69 B3 7.7 10.7 1.40 C1 8.0 1.74 0.22 C2 8.8 1.50 0.17 Loading: mg of immobilized peptide/ml of matrix [mg/m/]. Volume capacity: mg of bound protein/ml of peptide matrix [mg/ml]. Relative capacity: mg of bound protein/mg of peptide matrix loading [mg/mg].

FIG. 1: Specificity of immunoglobulin-peptide binding

The specificity of the immunoglobulin-peptide binding (A) in SDS-PAGE was compared with the specificity of the immunoglobulin-protein A binding (Prot. A) and with the specificity of the binding of human IgG with a chicken IgY anti-human IgG antibody (AK1) and a sheep IgG anti-human IgG antibody (AK2) (B) as well as with the specificity of the immunoglobulin-peptide RTY binding, (acetyl-(RTY)βA))₂KGKK-amide derived from Fassina et al. (1996) and the specificity of the immunoglobulin-peptide K1- and K2 binding, wherein K1 is acetyl-FGRLVSSIRY(βA)(γA)K-amide and K2 is acetyl-TWKTSRISIF(βA)(βA) K-amide, derived from Krook et al. (1998) (C).

(A)

-   Markers: markers for molecular mass, in kDa. -   HP: human plasma sample, 10 μl sample, prediluted in PBS 1:200. -   IgG: human immunoglobulin G, 1.25 μg.     Linear Peptides -   A1: eluate from peptide matrix A1, 10 μl sample     Peptides cyclized through disulfide bridging -   B1: eluate from peptide matrix B1, 10 μl sample -   B2: eluate from peptide matrix B2, 10 μl sample -   B3: eluate from peptide matrix B3, 10 μl sample     Peptides cyclized through side-chain amide bonding -   C1: eluate from peptide matrix C1, 10 μl sample -   C2: eluate from peptide matrix C2, 10 μl sample     (B) -   Ak1: eluate from antibody matrix 1, 10 μl sample -   Ak2: eluate from antibody matrix 2, 10 μl sample -   Prot. A: eluate from protein A matrix, 10 μl sample     (C) -   RTY: eluate from peptide matrix RTY, 10 μl sample -   K1: eluate from peptide matrix K1, 10 μl sample -   K2: eluate from peptide matrix K2, 10 μl sample

The SDS-PAGE sample preparation was effected under reducing conditions.

TABLE 3 Binding capacity of the peptide matrices for immunoglobulins before and after autoclavation Relative residual Rel. capacity Rel. capacity capacity, Peptide before after based on matrix autoclavation [%] autoclavation [%] MF147 MF0147 5.11 100 0.72 14 100% MF0146 3.48 100 1.88 54 386% MF0143 2.85 100 1.85 65 464% Relative capacity: mg of bound protein/mg of peptide matrix loading [mg/mg].

FIG. 2: Specificity of immunoglobulin-peptide binding before and after auto-clavation

-   Markers: markers for molecular mass, in kDa. -   IgG: human immunoglobulin G, 1.25 μg. -   147, 146, 143: eluates of the respective peptide matrix before     autoclavation, 10 μl sample each -   121° C.: eluate after autoclavation of the matrix at 121° C. for 20     min, 10 μl sample each

The SDS-PAGE sample preparation was effected under reducIng conditions.

REFERENCES

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1. A peptide having amino acid sequence R¹ X01 X02 X03 X04 H X06 X07 X08 X09 X10 X11 X12 X13 R² (SEQ ID NO: 91), wherein, R¹=amino, acetyl, or deletion, X01=A, D, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaininobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, S, or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, W, or Y, X06=E, G, H, L, N, Q, or R, X07=K, D or G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutryic acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orm), X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, T, or deletion, and R²=COOH, amide, GK, GKK, (βA)GK, (βA)GKK, (SEQ ID NO: 89), (βA)(βA), (βA)(βA)K, or deletion, wherein deletion is represented by (−).
 2. The peptide according to claim 1 in a cyclic form, peptide ring closure being effected a) through disulfide bridging between C=X02 and C=X12, b) through amide cyclization between X02 and X12, or c) through a combination of the disulfide bridging and the amide cyclization.
 3. The peptide according to claim 1 wherein the amino acid sequence is R¹ ACAWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 1), R¹ ECAWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 2), R¹ GCAWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 3), R¹-CAWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 4), R¹ DCSWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 6), R¹ DCTWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 7), R¹ DCAEHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 8), R¹ DCAYHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 9), R¹ DCAHHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 10), R¹ DCARHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 13), R¹ DCASHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 14), R¹ DCATHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 15), R¹ DCAVHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 16), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 17), R¹ DCAYHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 18), R¹ DCAWHEGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 20), R¹ DCAWHGGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 21), R¹ DCAWHHGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 22), R¹ DCAWHNGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 23), R¹ DCAWHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 26), R¹ DCAWHRGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 27), R¹ DCAWHLDKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 28), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCD R² (SEQ ID NO: 39), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCE R² (SEQ ID NO: 40), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCK R² (SEQ ID NO: 41), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCQ R² (SEQ ID NO: 42), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCR R² (SEQ ID NO: 43), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCS R² (SEQ ID NO: 44), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWC R² (SEQ ID NO: 45), wherein R¹=amino or acetyl and R²=COOH, amide, GK, GKK, (βA)GK, (βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89), (βA)(βA), or (βA)(βA)K.
 4. The peptide according to claim 1: a) wherein X01=A, E, G or deletion, X02=C, X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13 D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; b) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; c) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, X03=S or T, X04=V, W, or Y, X06=G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, K, S, or deletion; d) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=E, G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13D, E, K, Q, K, S, or deletion; e) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, N, Q, R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; or f) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; wherein R¹=amino or acetyl and R²=COOH, amide, GK, GKK, (βA)GK, (βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89), (βA)(βA), or (βA)(βA)K.
 5. The peptide according to claim 1 in cyclic form, peptide ring formation being effected through: 1) disulfide bridging, between X02 and X12, when C=X02 and C=X12, 2) amide cyclization, between X02 and X12, when X02 is Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn in combination with D or E=X12, 3) amide cyclization, between X02 and X12, when X02 is D or E in combination with Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn=X12, 4) amide cyclization, when R¹=COOH and Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn=X02, between X02 and the peptide's C-terminal amino acid, 5) amide cyclization, when R¹=NH₂ and E or D=X12, between X12 and the peptide's N-terminal amino acid, or 6) amide cyclization, when R¹=NH₂ and R¹=COOH, between the N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids, a) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; b) wherein X01=D, X02=C, X03=S or T, X04=W, X06=L X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; c) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutryic acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, W, or Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; d) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=E, G, H, N, Q, R, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; e) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W X12=C, and X13=T; f) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; g) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; h) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K. or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=K, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; i) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diamninobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; j) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric avid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; or k) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; wherein R¹=amino or acetyl and R²=COOH, amide, GK, GKK, (βA)GK, (βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89), (βA)(βA), or (βA)(βA)K.
 6. The peptide according to claim 1 in cyclic form, peptide ring formation being effected through: 1) disulfide bridging, between X02 and X12, when C=X02 and C=X12, 2) amide cyclization, between X02 and X12, when X02 is Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn in combination with D or E=X12, 3) amide cyclization, between X02 and X12, when X02 is D or E in combination with Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn=X12, 4) amide cyclization, when R²=COOH and Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn=X02, between X02 and the peptide's C-terminal amino acid, 5) amide cyclization, when R¹=NH₂ and E or D=X12, between X12 and the peptide's N-terminal amino acid, or 6) cyclization, when R¹=NH₂ and R²=COOH, between the N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids, a) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diamninobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; b) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; c) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S or T, X04=W, X06=G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; d) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=L, X07=D, X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; e) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, N, Q, or R, X07=D, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=D, E, K, Q, R, S, or deletion; or f) wherein X01=A, E, G, or deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S or T, X04=E, F, H, K, M, R, S, T, V, or Y, X06=G, H, K, M, N, Q, or R, X07=D; X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=T; wherein R¹=amino or acetyl and R²=COOH, amide, GK, GKK, (βA)GK, (βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89), (βA)(βA), or (βA)(βA)K.
 7. The peptide of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence is R¹ CAWHLGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 48), R¹ CAWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 49), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWC R² (SEQ ID NO: 47), R¹ DCAWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 56), R¹ DCSWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 59), R¹ DCAWHHGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 50), R¹ DCAWHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 57), R¹ DCAWHGGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 52), R¹ DCAWHGGKLVWCE R² (SEQ ID NO: 55), R¹ DCAYHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 58), R¹ DCAYHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 60), R¹ DCSWHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 61), R¹ DCSYHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 62), R¹ DCSYHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 63), R¹-CAWHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 65), R¹-CAYHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 66), R¹-CSWHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 67), R¹-CAYHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 68), R¹-CSWHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 69), R¹-CSYHLGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 70), R¹-CSYHQGKLVWCT R² (SEQ ID NO: 71), R¹ DCAWHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 73), R¹ DCAYHLGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 74), R¹ DCSWHLGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 75), R¹ DCAYHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 76), R¹ DCSWHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 77), R¹ DCSYHLGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 78), R¹ DCSYHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 79), R¹-CAWHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 81), R¹-CAYHLGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 82), R¹-CSWLGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 83), R¹-CAYHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 84), R¹-CSWHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 85), R¹-CSYHLGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 86), or R¹-CSYHQGKLVWC-R² (SEQ ID NO: 87), wherein R¹=amino or acetyl and R¹=COOH, amide, GK, GKK, (βA)GK, (βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89), (βA)(βA), or (βA)(βA)K.
 8. The peptide according to claim 1 in cyclic form, peptide ring formation being effected through: 1) disulfide bridging, between X02 and X12, when C=X02 and C=X12, 2) amide cyclization, between X02 and X12, when X02 is Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn in combination with D or E=X12, 3) amide cyclization, between X02 and X12, when X02 is D or E in combination with Dpr, Dab, K, or Orn=X12, a) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diamninobutyric acid (Dab), diamninopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, and X13=deletion; b) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; c) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; d) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=H, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; e) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X12=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; f) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=G, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic avid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; g) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=G, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=E; h) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diamninobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; i) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; j) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; k) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; l) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; m) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; n) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; o) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=G, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; p) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=W, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; q) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; r) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=T; s) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; t) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; u) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; v) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; w) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=W, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; x) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; y) wherein X01=D, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; z) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=W, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; aa) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; ab) wherein X01deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=W, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; ac) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=A, X04=Y, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; ad) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=W, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; or ae) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=L, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; or af) wherein X01=deletion, X02=C, D, E, diaminobutyric acid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), X03=S, X04=Y, X06=Q, X07=G, X08=K, X09=L, X10=V, X11=W, X12=C, S, D, E, diaminobutyric avid (Dab), diaminopropionic acid (Dpr), K, or ornithine (Orn), and X13=deletion; wherein R¹=amino or acetyl, and R²=COOH, amide, GK, GKK, (βA)GK, (βA)GKK (SEQ ID NO: 89), (βA)(βA), or (βA)(βA)K.
 9. The peptide according to claim 1, characterized in that the peptide binds immunoglobulins or antigen-immunoglobulin complexes in biological fluids.
 10. In a solid phase, for affinity chromatography or solid phase extraction, comprising: a polymeric material; and a peptide according to claim 1, wherein the peptide is immobilized on phase, whereby the peptide activates the volume material.
 11. The solid phase according to claim 10, wherein the polymeric material comprises crossliked agarose polymers, cellulose polymers, silica gel, polyamide, or polyvinyl alcohol.
 12. The solid phase according to claim 11, wherein the peptide is covalently bound to the solid phase through the K(Lys) adjacent to X07.
 13. A method for removing immunoglobulins from a sample, by affinity chromatography or solid phase extraction, comprising contacting an immunoglobulin-containing sample with the solid phase of claim 10, whereby the solid phase selectively binds immunoglobulins in the sample.
 14. A method for removing immunoglobulins from a sample, by affinity chromatography or solid phase extraction, comprising contacting an immunoglobulin-containing sample with the solid phase of claim 12, whereby the solid phase selectively binds immunoglobulins in the sample.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the immunoglobulin-containing sample is anticoagulant-treated human blood plasma or human whole blood.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the immunoglobulin-containing sample is anticoagulant-treated blood plasma or human whole blood.
 17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the immunoglobulins are autoantibodies related to an autoimmune disease.
 18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the immunoglobulins are autoantibodies related to an autoimmune disease.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the autoimmune disease is a rheumatoid disease, multiple sclerosis, or myasthenia gravis.
 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the autoimmune disease is a rheumatoid disease, multiple sclerosis, or myasthenia gravis.
 21. A device for removing immunoglobulins from an immunoglobulin-containing sample comprising the solid phase according to claim 11 in cooperation with means for entry of the immunoglobulin-containing sample to the solid phase. 